By Peter Kratz | Director
Progress Report from: Men on the Side of the Road Project
1. Introduction
Our principal objectives for 2011 are summarized below;
Build towards self sustainability through
It was recognised in that these are multi year initiatives and in the case of the last 2 points are subject to the availability of either specific funds for the purpose or uncommitted funds. These activities are aimed at getting MSR to the point where its annual budget is assured.
In respect of operational activities we planned to
2. Activities and accomplishments
Fundraising
Despite organising our fundraising management in a more structured way we have come up against some stern challenges this year. The stop / start funding from Gauteng provincial social development has created a large gap in our 2011 funding pipeline. This is exacerbated by the delayed approval of funding from a normally reliable foundation overseas. These 2 entities accounted for almost 50% of our funding in 2010 and look like providing nothing this year. It must be emphasised that there are no concerns from their side in respect of MSR, they have simply been unable to approve resources due to internal issues.
We also received a notification from the National Lottery Trust Fund that our 2011 application was rejected because we run a job placement program which they regard as a recruitment agency and therefore they can not fund us. We have appealed that decision and the Board of the fund has referred the matter back to the grant committee for re-evaluation.
We have continued to receive ongoing support from several funders and remain appreciative of all the foundations and organisations that contribute to the success of MSR.
Self sustainability
Our fee based model has now been introduced to all regions in which we operate and will begin to move our placement program towards self sustainability. We have also moved ahead with the Service Team program which sees organised teams of MSR members providing sub contracting services in the construction industry. We expect to exceed the target of R1.5 million income in the full year.
Placement program
The target for 2011 was set to stretch the branches. The traditional markets in which we have placed people in the past remain depressed. Domestic construction and maintenance indices have continued to show no improvement after the dramatic drops experienced in early 2010. All this adds up to extreme hardship for our members.
Overall MSR has placed 19,687 work days in 2011 (to 30 June) this represents a 35% decrease on the same period last year. The financial value of these work days to members is approximately R2.6 million.
3. Training
This year we extended out employability training program to all regions where we operate and have trained more than 4,800 people. The course is designed to develop soft skills in our members.
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